Brussels, 02/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has authorised the purchase by TF1 of 25% of the capital of TPS, currently held by France Télévision and France Télécom. Once the transaction has been completed, TF1, which already holds 25%, will hold 50% of TPS's capital. However, given the joint strategy pursued within TPS by M6 and Suez, which each own 25% of its capital, TF1 will exercise joint control of TPS together with M6/Suez. This transaction shows that there is no risk to competition because the withdrawal of France Télévision and France Télécom will essentially result in TPS and its parent companies occupying a weaker combined position than previously. This applies upstream to the marketing and operation of special-interest channels and the acquisition of broadcasting rights, markets on which France Télévision is present, and downstream to the pay-TV market, on which France Télécom is active as a cable television operator. The Commission's investigation has also shown that no risk of co-ordination of the parent companies' as a result of TF1's and M6/Suez's acquisition of joint control could be demonstrated on the related upstream markets on which they compete (the marketing and operation of special-interest channels and the acquisition of broadcasting rights).